Global warming, climate change and the Paris AccordsI must respond to some of the misleading statements in Dr. Bob Allen’s article on the Clean Energy Act Dr. Allen combined and mixed up global warming, climate change and the Paris Accords while implying that humans are responsible for global warming. First, the sample set used to identify “global warming” and forecast “climate change” is just too small to forecast anything with any confidence. Doesn’t he remember that in the 1960s the big head...

Flooding and drainage need attentionThank you city council members for your meeting on Wednesday for residents and city officials to address flooding and drainage issues. Why is the city spending thousands of dollars for side walks when we have so many other needs to be met - such as the drainage problems, streets that are in bad shape, striping on many streets that is almost invisible - among other things? I just feel our tax dollars could be spent for more pressing needs. Joan...

Internet sales taxOut-of-state internet sales tax The MFA is unfair. With its misleading name, the "Marketplace Fairness Act" fits the worst stereotype of politics in promising one thing and delivering the opposite. "Fairness" requires local taxes to be paid for by local businesses who benefit from the local infrastructure, such as police, fire protection, water and sewer, etc. Businesses in another state do not directly benefit from local infrastructure, and s...

Aquatic Center is a gem!Our new aquatic center is truly beautiful! Another reason why the River Valley is a great place to live! Thanks to the former Russellville Mayor, Bill Eaton, and new mayor Randy Horton, and everyone else who had a part! We are blessed to have so many opportunities for physical exercise, places to shop, good restaurants, art and music venues and places of worship to keep our families busy, healthy and happy! Thanks again everyone! Judy Olson Da...

Change the lawChange the law Your article in the Sunday, June 25, 2017, edition of The Courier stated the Mainhart family was satisfied with a life sentence for the confessed killer of Lt. Kevin Mainhart rather than endure a lengthy trial and appeals process. The statement from the family to the confessed killer actually read, "We would have pushed for a death penalty conviction if we were assured the sentence would be carried out in a reasonable amount of ...

With Medicaid, state sees innovative resultsWhen it comes to government programs, oftentimes the first question many of us ask is “Are we getting what we’re paying for?” Given the significant federal and state tax burden that each of us carries that’s a reasonable question to ask. And if the answer is “no,” then it’s up to policymakers to make the necessary changes to make those programs more effective and more accountable to taxpayers. As someone who has spent considerable time working...

The real face of medicaid cuts...enough is enoughSome very important healthcare decisions are being decided at this very moment. Behind closed doors, in some clandestine location, with no direct input from the people who will be impacted the most by their decision….. America’s weakest and most vulnerable citizens. No one argues changes need to be made and positive budgets are important for our nation’s economy. It’s who and what services must pay the price and be denied life-sustaining dolla...

Open letter to Russellville mayor and City CouncilThe 05/21/17 front page of The Courier reads, “City council and residents discuss PUD ordinance.” What? The Mayor and some council members are still trying to get their PUD project going. It would seem the mayor and some council members are deaf and blind and have their head in the sand. The citizens in this area, that you are supposed to represent and others in the city voted. They do not want spot rezoning of R-1 areas. There is no PUD ordin...

A letter from the Mainhart familyOn May 11, 2017 we suffered the loss of our loved one, Lt. Kevin Mainhart. Kevin was a loving husband, father, son, brother and uncle. He was a dedicated law enforcement officer and veteran of the U.S. Air Force. We have received an outpouring of love and support during this very difficult time. There are too many people to name and thank individually but we would like you to know that we appreciate everyone and their contribution. Kevin’s inv...

Officials should reflect on Arbors vote, not get ire upYou've heard the adage, "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" Well, after reading the cover story in The Courier on Sunday, I must ask the question -- If the citizens reject an ordinance that had been approved by the City Council and the City Council doesn't get the message, then was there communication? The ire that was expressed in the article by some on the council and Planning Commission con...

Why doesn't everyone follow the rules?Why doesn't everyone follow the rules? As a longtime resident of Russellville, I am concerned about the rezoning of residential neighborhoods for commercial business. Although called a PUD (planned unit development), the proposed facility on Marina Way is a commercial business. Employees are hired to care for those who live in this facility. Like it or not, healthcare is a business. I relocated to Russellville in 1986 and have built two medica...

The ArborsI would like to give a pause to the madness that seems to be consuming our town. Most of what I know is what I hear, so I can’t guarantee the accuracy of all the complaints about the PUD (The Arbors) that wants to develop on Marina Road. There is no doubt that this is a nice facility and would be great to have in Russellville. The problem seems to be how this project has been handled by our city government. We have excellent commercial propert...

It's about the Can of Worms, not The ArborsThese are my thoughts on this issue, why I'm concerned as a 45-year resident of the Marina Road area and why I'm VOTING FOR THE REPEAL of Ordinance 2260. Just for the record, I'm not against assisted living centers in Russellville, I don't hate old people and I do not claim to own the mountain. Those are scare tactics by the other side. The developer of The Arbors bought 40 acres in an R-1 zoned area, of which 20 acres would be developed under...

More thoughts about The ArborsI would like to give a pause to the madness that seems to be consuming our town. Most of what I know is what I hear, so I can't guarantee the accuracy of all the complaints about the PUD (The Arbors) that wants to develop on Marina Road. There is no doubt that this is a nice facility and would be great to have in Russellville. The problem seems to be how this project has been handled by our city government. We have excellent commercial propert...

For The ArborsI've been following with interest the controversial Arbors project. Yesterday I came across an individual's FaceBook posting. It was well written but factually flawed. He made two statements that bear investigating, "There's lots of big lots in very close proximity to the hospital to build and develop assisted living facilities." and "There are vast spaces of property in Russellville that are much closer to the hospital and would not require r...

Citizens should decide fate of The ArborsIt is quite unfortunate that the legal system had to get involved with the affairs of Russellville in relation to the rezoning for the proposed development of the Arbors. However, this is our governmental system of checks and balances and we must respect it. Having stated this, I would much rather the issue of spot zoning for The Arbors be resolved by the citizens of Russellville than the legal system, and at this point, it appears that it wil...

Opinion: The Arbors would be good for communityI have been in business over 55 years, and this is my first letter to the editor. I strongly support the Arbors Project. To my friends who object, I apologize, however this type of objection is the main reason Russellville is not growing any faster, and we are looked upon as objecting to growth. Reasonable objections, and logical objections are understandable, but there is no reason to object to this Arbors project. It would be like objecting ...

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James R. Ford RussellvilleThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Stop the falsehoods and attacksI feel the need to express my thoughts on the up-coming special election as it relates to The Arbors. This situation is as American as it gets. People hearing the facts and hopefully following their hearts and voting for what they think is best for the majority. I sincerely hope that the citizens of Russellville will remain open minded, seek out the true facts and vote their conscious. I know this is a heated debate and an extremely hot topic....

Rezoning in residential neighborhoods The rezoning of residential property in Russellville is not just an issue that is before our city officials, it is an issue that is central to all citizens. The issue, rezoning of residential property on Marina Way, has not been placed before the voters due to a “flip-flop.” The rezoning of Marina Way was placed before the voters by a judge — a judge who listened to both sides for well over an hour and came to a decision to allow the issue to ...

Opinion: Rezoning in residential neighborhoodsRezoning in residential neighborhoods The rezoning of residential property in Russellville is not just an issue that is before our city officials, it is an issue that is central to all citizens. The issue, rezoning of residential property on Marina Way, has not been placed before the voters due to a "flip-flop." The rezoning of Marina Way was placed before the voters by a judge -- a judge who listened to both sides for well over an hour and ca...